Sagay City is set to host a new Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Civil Registration Outlet that will serve Northern Negros, bringing birth, marriage, death, and other civil registry services closer to residents who currently travel to Bacolod City for their transactions.
The outlet will make Sagay the third local government unit-managed PSA Civil Registration Services Outlet in the Philippines and is targeted to begin operations by the first quarter of 2027, with the City Government eyeing its inauguration during the Sagay City Fiesta in March, a press release from Sagay City said Tuesday, August 25.
PSA National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa and other PSA officials confirmed Sagay as the final site for the Northern Negros outlet during a meeting at the City Mayor’s Office on Aug. 19.
The ground floor of the old Sagay City Hall, has been identified as the site of the facility following an ocular inspection conducted prior to the meeting.
With no other PSA civil registration outlet currently serving Northern Negros, the Sagay facility is expected to accommodate more than 300 clients daily, potentially drawing even more people as clients are often accompanied by family members or other companions.
The outlet is expected to significantly reduce the transportation, food, time, and other expenses incurred by residents who need to travel farther for PSA documents.
It will particularly benefit students, board examination applicants, uniformed personnel, jobseekers, senior citizens, and other residents who regularly require civil registry documents for school enrollment, employment, examinations, benefits, and other transactions.
Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva welcomed PSA’s decision to locate the facility in Sagay, saying the project supports the City Government’s continuing effort to bring essential national government services closer to Sagaynons and neighboring communities.
Cueva also credited the work of the Local Civil Registrar’s Office in demonstrating Sagay’s readiness to accommodate the facility.
Beyond improving access to government services, the City Government expects the outlet to generate additional foot traffic in the city center and create opportunities for nearby businesses and service providers.
PSA and the City Government will jointly prepare the facility, including its office layout, staffing requirements, systems, internet connectivity, transaction arrangements, and other operational requirements.
PSA personnel will also assist the City Government in defining responsibilities, applicable fees, operational procedures, and other requirements before the outlet begins accepting clients.
The facility is also expected to support PSA’s shift toward digital and cashless transactions.
GCash has offered assistance through transaction support, possible deployment of a cash-in booth during the initial months of operation, and merchant training to help clients adjust to electronic payment options.
PSA also encouraged Sagay City to benchmark its operations with the LGU-managed PSA outlet in Kabankalan City, which opened in July, while transaction data from other outlets will be provided to help the city anticipate client volume and prepare its systems accordingly.
During the meeting, PSA officials also discussed preparations for the 2027 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) survey, which will update Sagay City’s 2024 socioeconomic and household data.
The survey is estimated to require around P10 million, with PSA expected to shoulder the majority of the cost while seeking counterpart assistance from the City Government.
City officials requested PSA to submit its formal funding requirement early so the necessary counterpart can be considered during the preparation of the city’s 2027 budget.
PSA also informed the City Government that an audit team will visit Sagay as part of the agency’s fraud management measures.
The validation will include barangay visits and random verification of individuals who filed delayed registration applications from 2012 to 2017.
Prior to the meeting, PSA officials inspected the proposed outlet site with Local Civil Registrar’s Office head Engr. Vivencio Flores, City Engineer Jezreel Alingco, and their respective personnel.
City Administrator Engr. Rodnel de los Reyes also joined the meeting with PSA officials.*
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